Utnapashtim, ancient in age,
Was paid a visit--which seemed quite odd--
From Ea, who thousands of years ago
Was a Sumerian water god.
The gods were angry with people on Earth.
As it turned out, the gripe that they had
Was simply because the humans were noisy
And NOT because they were evil or bad.
A god called Enlil suggested a flood.
It would be done, at his behest.
Once all that was over, he said,
The gods could get a good night's rest.
Ea told Utnapashtim to build
A giant boat. One of its features:
To be gigantic enough to hold
"The seed of ALL living creatures."
Utnapashtim finished his boat
Just before the rains began.
For six whole days and six whole nights
It rained nonstop, according to plan.
The only ones who survived the flood
Were those on Utnapashtim's boat.
Needless to say, they were all
Lucky that it had kept afloat.
The seventh day brought clear, calm weather.
A dove was released, but it soon returned.
Utnapashtim released a swallow.
When IT came back, too, he grew concerned.
"Hmmm," he thought. "Let's try a raven."
He sent forth a raven, and what do you know?
The raven did NOT return, for it
Had come across land. Way to go!
The huge boat came to rest upon
A mountaintop as waters receded.
All were relieved that the water god's
Urgent warnings had been heeded.
A god called Ishtar made the first
Rainbow appear across the sky
To serve as a promise of no more floods
And be a glory to meet the eye.
If you think that the story sounds
Familiar, well, you aren't alone.
The Israelites borrowed the story,
Changed it a bit, and made it their own.
-by Bob B (2-23-25)
